San Diego: Research Probes Restaurant Employment Issues

As part of the SDSU Common Experience on food in spring 2015, graduate sociology practicum students researched the working conditions of restaurant employees. The class consulted with the Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI) and the Employee Rights Center to survey four issues of concern to food workers: wage theft, scheduling, sick days, and health insurance. Students recruited 337 participants to take the survey, completed 30 in-depth, detailed interviews, and observed conditions at 40 high-end restaurants. With CPI, the class produced a report in English and Spanish. The report, which also informs workers of their rights under labor law, was distributed to those who participated or attended a community forum at which students presented the results. Several news outlets reported the findings in both languages.

Graduate students in a manufacturing systems engineering course worked with New Horizons, a nonprofit organization employing special needs individuals, to help to improve their assembly and packing process.

When disaster strikes, urban neighbors are often less inclined than those living elsewhere to band together, but studies show that tightly knit communities within cities respond more effectively than others.

Dr. Kevin Taylor, Chair of Kinesiology and disability sports expert, received the Learn by Doing Scholar award for his work developing the Activity4All program, in which students collaborate in designing equipment to enable physical activity for people with disabilities.